How LGBT-Friendly Are The New York Times' 52 Places to Go? Part IV

1.21.2014

By Kevin Okeeffe

You probably don't want to go to Kenya any time soon.

The New York Times’ Travel section set out an ambitious travel plan for readers recently with their “52 Places to Go in 2014.” But how LGBT-friendly are these exotic locales? Which places will have your back, and what destinations are not worthy of your patronage? We'll be breaking down the places on the list over the next few weeks. See the fourth group of five below.

Calgary, AlbertaOur neighbors to the north were ahead of the curve on marriage equality: It’s been established in Canada since 2005. Same-sex sexual relations and adoption are also permitted nationwide, but notably, Alberta is on the low end of the scale in terms of supporting LGBT rights.

Ishikagi, JapanGood news: The majority of Japanese citizens support accepting homosexuality. Bad news: that hasn’t done much for same-sex rights. Marriage equality remains unestablished, though Japanese nationals are allowed to marry abroad. Gender reassignment surgery has been legal since 2008.